The market cap of Bitcoin surpassed the $14 bln margin for the first time in history, breaking its all-time record high previously set in 2014. The surging value of Bitcoin led to extensive mainstream media coverage and social media attraction, with Bitcoin earning a spot on the trending section of social media platforms like Twitter. In the morning of December 22, Bitcoin crossed the $14 bln mark to establish its highest market cap to date. Additionally, Bitcoin officially recorded a 100 percent year-to-date price increase, surpassing the performance of well-performing currencies like the Russian ruble by large margins. View image on Twitter Mainstream media outlets including Reuters, Business Insider and CNBC immediately began to publicize Bitcoin’s most significant milestone in recent years, as Bitcoin continues to surge in value with mainstream speculation and increasing demand from dominant markers such as China. While the price has stalled slightly since its initial surge earlier today, the price of Bitcoin reached $874 at its daily peak, surpassing a six-month high value. An optimistic view towards Bitcoin One of the positive aspects of Bitcoin’s price surge that occurred this week is the optimistic view from the mainstream media and high profile investors. Amid the price …

On Dec. 21, the European Commission tightened controls on the inflow of cash and precious metals from outside of the EU. Describing its decision as a move to crackdown on terrorist financing, the Commission granted permission to border patrols to seize cash or gold brought in by suspects. Customs officials in EU states, as well as border controls, can seize and restrict the inflow of cash and precious metals without particular guidelines as to whom is suspected of terrorist financing or funding of militant attacks. Such ambiguity in the new proposals could potentially lead to the false confiscation of funds carried in by civilians coming into the EU. Individuals holding over $10,400 in cash must declare at EU state customs before entering a member state. If they fail to do so, individuals could be scrutinized by the newly proposed regulations. The EU executive Commission also stated in a note obtained by Reuters that authorities will be able to seize money below $10,400 upon their independent investigations and considerations. Potential regulations on other money transmission methods To date, cash and precious metals are the only two stores of value that the European Commission plans on regulating. The inflow of cash and …

Blockchain had a good run in 2016 with a lot going on, including over $1.5 bln invested in startups, Bitcoin breaking out of the $700 resistance level and the likes of IBM and Microsoft betting the shop on this new pervasive technology. We saw Barclays Bank’s first live commercial banking transaction, Hyperledger’s very promising Corda technology coming of age and, of course, more attacks requiring more forks. In addition, the Scaling Conference in Milan showcased some amazing projects that bode well for Blockchain’s amazing future. So what does 2017 hold for the Bitcoin Blockchain? On par with gold Bitcoin will continue its rise from its three-year high to reach parity with gold, continuing the trend post the devaluation of the yuan, the withdrawal of large Indian notes, as well as the Trump and Brexit effect. Breaking out As 2016 was the year of the Proof of Concept, 2017 will be the year when Blockchain breaks out of the lab and into production environments. Forks Ethereum will continue to fork under constant attacks and will get stronger as Casper comes of age. Furthermore, Ether will continue to struggle to break through the $1 bln market capitalization. Smart contracts Banks will try …

In a reaction to the U.S. government’s renewed commitment to tax Bitcoin transactions, the owner of Bitcoin.com, Roger Ver, says that while he’s not a fan of taxes and the IRS, he thinks it is a strong sign Bitcoin has come to stay, and governments are coming to terms with that. Mainstream adoption While the crypto entrepreneur doesn’t agree that taxing is good for the community, he affirms that it is an indication of mainstream adoption. He explains: “It is a sign of progress towards mainstream adoption, and with that adoption, Bitcoin will bring many positive changes to the world.” Whether taxing Bitcoin transactions is feasible, is another issue that immediately comes to mind when looking at the nature of the virtual currency and its anonymity. When Cointelegraph asked Roger if cryptocurrencies could be taxed accurately, he had this to say: “I think cryptocurrencies will bring a whole new meaning to the term “voluntary compliance.” No amount of threats of violence from the IRS can solve a math problem.” Tax is theft Roger holds the conviction that tax is theft and is paternalistic in its nature. He quotes Lysander Spooner: “If taxation without consent is not robbery, then any band …

As unprecedented charges of rigging have loomed over the U.S. presidential election, much attention has focused on the capability of blockchain technology to make voting more transparent. Joseph Lubin, the founder of ConsenSys and the co-founder of Ethereum, observed in an article in Futurism that decentralizing technologies have important implications for not only improving elections, but in empowering individuals overall. In addition to charges of rigging, this year’s U.S. election featured the emergence of foreign and non-state actors wielding the power to influence the election’s outcome. Decentralized actors form Wikileaks to Anonymous have exerted influence over the race. A foreign controller of a big botnet can create major confusion which can affect events from a distance, Lubin noted. Where the United States has historically sought to police the world, the world has since become capable of exerting checks and balances on the U.S. political system. Chinese and Russian hacks, meanwhile, are exerting information-based influence on foreign shores. Stuxnet and similar cyber weapons have delivered millions of dollars’ worth of damage. Blockchain technology’s decentralizing power will deliver tools that can not only disrupt existing systems, but also provide solutions to enable more transparent, predictable and fairer outcomes. Governance Through Code When organizations …